Israel’s parliament has approved legislation banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within its territory and the occupied Palestinian regions. The move, set to take effect in three months, has been widely criticised, including by allies and international organisations, as a violation of humanitarian principles.

UNRWA, established in 1949, provides critical services to Palestinian refugees, including healthcare, education, and food aid. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that the ban would have “devastating consequences,” particularly in Gaza, where UNRWA supports over half the population. WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the decision intolerable, adding that UNRWA is an “irreplaceable lifeline.”

The United States expressed “deep concern,” highlighting UNRWA’s pivotal role in delivering aid to civilians, particularly in Gaza. The State Department urged Israel to reconsider the law, which prevents coordination between UNRWA and Israeli authorities and disrupts life-saving support for Palestinians.

Critics, including the Jordanian and Egyptian foreign ministries, labelled the ban a blatant breach of international law and a continuation of Israel’s efforts to undermine refugee rights. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas accused Israel of attempting to dismantle services essential to the survival of Palestinians and erasing the right of return for refugees. Calls have intensified for the international community to intervene and support UNRWA’s operations amidst the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.